Requires iron(II). Acts on 9-cis-violaxanthin and 9'-cis-neoxanthin but not on the all-trans isomers [2,3]. In vitro, it will cleave 9-cis-zeaxanthin. Catalyses the first step of abscisic-acid biosynthesis from carotenoids in chloroplasts, in response to water stress. The other enzymes involved in the abscisic-acid biosynthesis pathway are EC 1.1.1.288 (xanthoxin dehydrogenase), EC 1.2.3.14 (abscisic-aldehyde oxidase) and EC 1.14.13.93 [(+)-abscisic acid 8'-hydroxylase].